Gator Run Friday Focus - November 8, 2013

I would like to provide a written follow-up from Tuesday's Faculty Collaboration.  I issued two pleas to the group that I feel will help take us to the next level of greatness.  We are blessed to work in a school with great kids, most of whom receive tremendous support from home.  The challenge for us is how to take these students as high as they can possibly go.  

1. My first plea is one of urgency vs. complacency.  There is a tendency for schools who are A-rated to become complacent.  We must constantly challenge ourselves to utilize our time with our students in the best possible way.  While we might be happy that 81% of our students scored a level 3 or above on the Reading portion of the FCAT last year, we should also be cognizant that 19% of them scored a 1 or 2.  That would equate school-wide to over 240 students.  Everything is not about test scores, but I definitely use these scores to drive myself to constantly try to do better.  One of my favorite words is "relentless".  As educators we must be relentless in our pursuit of doing whatever we can so our children can succeed.  Urgency to me means ensuring that all of our instructional time is filled with high-quality learning experiences.  

2. My other plea has to do with the climate of our school.  I mentioned that I am a believer in the "collective unconscious", which I feel is the energy that all of us put out.  Our thoughts, feelings and actions collect together and then circulate back to each of us.  In order to create a positive climate at our school, I am making a plea for everyone to emit only positive thoughts, words and actions.  Even the smallest negative act can add to our school's "collective unconscious".  Each of us is responsible for the atmosphere here.  Let's do our best to share positive energy in all of our interactions.

I would also like to make a third plea for everyone to try something new.  We have introduced several ideas this year and a few have made the leap already.  Standing out, trying new things and doing whatever is best for kids will be celebrated.  We will be promoting these new ideas in the hope that we can get more on board.  Gator Run will be the innovation leader in Broward County!

• No school on Monday as we celebrate Veteran's Day.  Let's take some time this weekend to reflect on those that have served our Country to help keep us the land of the free.  
• Gator Games is on Tuesday.  
• Team Work is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.  Please remember that this is scheduled time for your team to work on your planning.  
• Report cards go home on Wednesday.  
• Team Leader Day is Wednesday.
• Colonial Day for 5th grade is Thursday.
• Honor Roll Celebration is Friday along with Field Day for Kindergarten. 

Quote of the Week - "For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness." - Ralph Waldo Emerson.  Sounds to me like it's better to be happy and positive!


Think Like a Detective - Can you determine the Gator Run teacher based on the following clues?

• Is from Hialeah, Florida
• Went to school at Florida Southern College
• Loves traveling
• Was on a team that built an orphanage for 40 kids in Haiti
• Husband is a pastor